In the past, no Title Deeds existed for the land and buildings on the islands off the West coast of Ireland.  After the relocation of families to the mainland, the cottages were left abandoned, but several were kept by the owners, for storing fishing gear and farming equipment.  Maintaining the doors became the custom of retaining ownership.
The ingenuity used in keeping them standing, with the layers of peeling paint and the rusty chains, latches and bolts,  inspired me to paint them, as they all had a story to tell.  
These doors came as a distraction,  whilst illustrating my books "Donegal Islands" and "The Islands of Connaught".